Khanyisa Mayo signing piles pressure on Nabi to deliver

Kaizer Chiefs’ capture of Khanyisa Mayo on loan from Algerian giants CR Belouizdad may be a signal of ambition, but it also turns up the heat on head coach Nasreddine Nabi to deliver more than just glimpses of progress this season.

The Bafana Bafana forward became Amakhosi’s 11th signing of a busy transfer window, underlining the club’s intent to rebuild after years of inconsistency. 

Chiefs finished a disappointing ninth in the Betway Premiership last season, though their Nedbank Cup triumph provided a silver lining and secured a return to continental football in the CAF Confederation Cup.

Now, with Mayo added to a squad already reinforced in almost every department, excuses are starting to run thin. Nabi, entering his second year at Naturena, can no longer be judged solely on stabilising the team — expectations have shifted to challenging for honours on multiple fronts.

Mayo’s arrival is particularly symbolic because Chiefs have long lacked a forward capable of carrying both the scoring burden and the aura of a talisman. 

While Ashley du Preez and Wandile Duba have had their moments, neither has consistently struck fear into opponents. 

Mayo, with his pace, power and versatility, offers something different. His reputation as a game-changer, combined with his Bafana experience, means fans will be looking to him as the face of a new attacking era.

For Nabi, that means finding a way to unlock Mayo’s full potential while integrating him into a side still finding its identity. 

The Tunisian coach has spoken often about balance and discipline, but Chiefs now need flair to match the structure. With Mayo on board, the demand for entertaining, attacking football will grow louder.

This also raises questions about how Amakhosi will manage the weight of their squad. Eleven signings in one window is an unprecedented overhaul for a club of Chiefs’ stature, and while it signals ambition, it also poses challenges. 

Building chemistry in a short space of time is never easy, especially with the demands of continental travel looming.

The CAF Confederation Cup offers Nabi a stage to showcase Chiefs’ resurgence, but it also heightens the stakes. 

Mayo’s acquisition suggests Chiefs do not want to be merely participants — they want to compete deep into the tournament while improving on last season’s league finish. Anything less could be viewed as underachievement.

Supporters, too, will be less patient. The Nedbank Cup win ended a long trophy drought, but it also reignited belief. 

With Mayo in the fold, expectations of success have grown sharper. Every misstep will be scrutinised through the lens of the club’s investment in this squad.

For Nabi, Mayo is both an opportunity and a burden. If he thrives, the coach will be credited for unlocking his potential. If he struggles, the finger will point at Nabi’s ability to manage a star-laden dressing room.

Chiefs have sent a clear message with this signing: mediocrity is no longer acceptable. And for Nabi, the Mayo gamble could well define his second season at Naturena.